FAITH
I could feel my heart sink as I stared at the "On Sale" placard swinging in the wind. The words seemed to blur in front of my eyes, the finality of it all hitting me in waves.
I had barely even processed the dread creeping up my spine when I heard the front door creak open.
I ran towards the house, my breath sharp, my mind racing. The world around me felt suspended, like I was caught in a storm and the only thing I could do was hold on and wait for it to pass.
But the storm had already arrived.
When I walked in, I froze in the doorway, my heart skipping a beat when I saw an unfamiliar figure inside.
FAITHIt had been a month since I left that town behind. A month since I set fire to everything I knew—every tie, every memory.Now, I was in Iowa. The place where no one knew me, where the ghosts of my past didn’t haunt the streets. It was quiet. Too quiet. But it was better than the alternative.I was working at a small diner. The kind of place you didn’t remember unless you needed to. It wasn’t anything special—just a bunch of grease, some old men chatting about nothing important, and a few tired faces behind the counter.A monotonous rhythm I’d quickly grown accustomed to.Wake up, clock in, work through the day, c
FAITHThis had to be a joke.The air in the room felt too thick, too heavy. My chest was tightening, my heart hammering like it was trying to break free of its cage.Pregnant.I kept replaying the doctor’s words in my head, trying to make sense of them, but it was like a puzzle with a thousand pieces scattered across the floor. Nothing fits together. I had no idea how this had happened.I tried to think. I tried to run through every moment, every possible slip-up. My mind kept racing back to that time, the chaotic mess that was my life when my mom died. The funeral, the confusion, the numbness. And in the middle of all of that, I had stopped thinking about anything else.I didn’t take birth control pills the first few days after having sex with Blaze.The realization hit me like a slap to the face, and I cursed myself under my breath. How could I have been so careless? How could I have let this happen? I felt sick, not just from the shock of the news, but from the weight of my own
FAITHThe air was thick with tension as I stepped into the private jet, my feet feeling heavier with every step. Jared followed behind me quietly, guiding me through the sleek, polished cabin. His steps were measured, quick, but I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his presence pressing down on me. As much as I tried to focus on the luxurious surroundings, the throbbing ache in my head and the heavy reality of what I was about to do made it impossible to enjoy any of it.The interior of the jet was immaculate. Plush leather seats, a glossy wood paneling, and soft lighting that somehow made everything seem surreal. A far cry from the cramped locker rooms and dive diners I’d left behind.I let out a long, tired breath as Jared stepped aside to leave me alone. His parting words were as sterile as ever: “I will leave you two to talk. Let me know if you need anything.”I didn’t have the energy to acknowledge him. Instead, my eyes drifted to the figure waiting at the far end of the cabi
FAITHI looked up, meeting Blaze’s gaze. The softness was gone, replaced by the shrewd, calculating look.And in that moment, I was reminded of why I was here. This wasn’t a fairy tale, and Blaze wasn’t some knight in shining armor. He was a billionaire, a businessman who probably saw this child as nothing more than an investment—a future asset he’d already started to protect.Still, I steeled myself, sitting up straighter, meeting his gaze head-on. “Fine. Let’s talk.”He leaned forward, fingers laced together, studying me with that intense gaze that seemed to see straight through every defense I tried to put up.
FAITHThe car rolled to a slow stop, the hum of the engine fading as I stared out the window, my breath catching in my throat. The sprawling mansion before me looked like something out of a storybook—or maybe a gothic novel.A sprawling estate stretched before me, its towering structure made of dark stone, the kind that whispered secrets of old money and hidden skeletons. Ivy crept up the walls, clinging to the cold exterior like it was trying to reclaim the building. The windows were tall, framed in black, with sheer curtains billowing faintly behind the glass. Everything about it screamed wealth, but it didn’t feel welcoming. It felt… imposing.My stomach twisted.I stepped ou
FAITHThe mansion stretched endlessly, a labyrinth of wealth and grandeur that I should have been amazed by. At first, I had been, marveling at the towering ceilings, the glint of sunlight on marble floors, and the luxurious drapes that framed windows overlooking sprawling gardens. But as Jessica led me further through the maze of opulence, that sense of awe quickly faded.There was something about Jessica. Her warmth and effusive energy had seemed genuine at first, almost comforting in a world where I was a stranger. But now, there was a sharp edge beneath her smile, a calculation in the way she watched me as if I were some prized possession she’d won at an auction.“Isn’t it just divine?” Jessica exclaimed, gesturing to
FAITHI looked at Blaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Oh… I see,” I said, my voice soft but steady.He arched an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “Any more questions?”I hesitated. The truth was, I did have questions—ones that danced dangerously close to crossing professional boundaries. Questions about the tone in his voice earlier, the brief flicker of something in his eyes that seemed... personal. But I swallowed them down, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from speaking.“I do,” I admitted after a pause, “but I don’t think they’d be appropriate to ask.” I tried to infuse a hint of lightness into my tone, hoping it would deflect attention from the awkwardness I suddenly felt.His lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners. “I’m glad you have that common sense.”And just like that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing faintly as the distance between us grew.For a moment, I just stood there, staring after him, a mix of emotions
FAITHI walked into the dining room, the soft murmur of voices instantly drawing my attention. The table was grand and stretched far, with elegant place settings and an array of delicious-smelling dishes. My stomach churned, not from hunger, but from the nervousness bubbling inside me.As I stepped further into the room, I noticed faces I hadn’t seen before. Blaze, who had been seated at the head of the table, noticed me immediately. A warm, reassuring smile spread across his face as he rose from his chair and walked toward me. My heart, already unsteady from anxiety, skipped a beat.“Hey, Faith,” Blaze said softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that calmed my frayed nerves. He reached for my hand, his touch firm yet gentle. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”I nodded, gripping his hand like a lifeline as he led me to the table. All eyes turned toward us, and I felt a rush of heat rise to my cheeks. Blaze’s presence beside me, though reassuring, didn’t entirely erase th
FAITHI let out a laugh, waving off Blaze’s earlier comment as if it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. “Obviously, you were acting. I mean, me being your girlfriend is a whole pretense to begin with.”Blaze let out a low, almost imperceptible sound. “Huh. Right,” he muttered, his tone so quiet it barely reached me.I didn’t dwell on it, though, as I gestured to our table. “Let’s continue eating.”He raised an eyebrow, amused. “You really did come here to eat.”“Obviously.” I flashed him a grin. “I mean, being here in front of Austin at this exact moment was part of the plan, but hey, the food? That’s a crucial part of it too.”Blaze chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up his fork. “I get the food part, but honestly? I don’t even get what you’re doing at this point.”I shrugged, spearing a piece of the now slightly cold filet mignon on my plate. “It’s simple, really. I’m just giving them a taste of their own medicine.”Blaze leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow arched.
FAITHAustin pulled back slightly, still holding onto my shoulders. “Faith, please,” he whispered, his voice low but pleading. “I made a huge mistake. I just… I don’t know what I was thinking.”I glanced at Blaze out of the corner of my eye. His jaw was tight, and his hands were clenched on the table as if he were barely restraining himself from intervening. I could almost hear the question he was dying to ask: ‘What the hell is happening right now?’But I ignored him and focused on Austin.Austin’s voice was a constant stream of apologies, each one more desperate than the last. “Faith, I’m so sorry. I was an idiot. I should’ve never—God, I
FAITHThe room seemed to shrink as everyone’s attention turned to the center of the drama. My hand tightened around Blaze’s arm, and he leaned closer to murmur, “Looks like your ex is about to have the night of his life.”“Shh,” I hissed, unable to look away.Austin’s face was a thunderstorm of rage, and his movements were erratic as he threw a handful of glossy photos onto the table in front of him.The pictures scattered like fallen leaves, and from where I stood, I could make out snippets of what they depicted—Reagan and Samuel, also known as Michael, in various settings.In one, they were seated across from each other at a dimly lit restaurant, Samuel leaning forward with a smile, Reagan looking like she was listening intently. In another, they were in the same car, parked in what looked like a secluded spot. There was one of them laughing together behind the campus building, her hand on his arm, and another in a parking lot, where Samuel was holding the car door open for her. No
FAITHBlaze’s lips crashed onto mine with a heat that stunned me into stillness. His hand, firm and steady, pressed lightly against the small of my back, holding me in place as his other arm braced against the wall beside my head. The kiss was brief, but it carried an intensity that sent sparks dancing along my skin. His lips were soft yet demanding, his touch igniting something deep within me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.For a moment, everything else disappeared. The tension in the air, the dim light of the stairwell, even the looming threat of Austin—all of it faded away. My hands found their way to Blaze’s chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt as if to ground myself. I was lost in the warmth of him, in the way he tasted faintly of the wine we’d shared earlier, in the way his breath mingled with mine.Then, a sharp, irritated voice snapped me out of my trance.“Get a room, guys. What the hell?”Austin’s voice rang out, dripping with annoyance, as he brushed past us on
FAITHThe restaurant was bustling with life, the low hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery filling the air. The elegant chandeliers cast a warm glow across the room, and the view from the top floor was absolutely breathtaking. Lights from the city below sparkled like scattered diamonds, making everything feel magical.Blaze and I were seated at a cozy table by the window, giving us the best vantage point to take it all in. I toyed with my fork, trying not to look as impressed as I felt.“This place is fancy,” I said, raising an eyebrow at Blaze. “I mean, who knew you had such exquisite taste?”He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Exquisite taste? I’m pretty sure you picked this place, Faith.”I waved a hand dismissively. “Details. What matters is that you actually brought me here. I half-expected you to flake.”“Flake? Me?” Blaze put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m hurt. You really think so little of me?”I gave him a teasing grin. “I don’t think little of you
FAITHI scoffed, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling Austin had left behind. “No, obviously not. How stupid do you think I am?” I gave Blaze a sharp look, a frown tugging at my lips. I wasn’t about to let him think for a second that I’d actually fall for Austin’s nonsense again.Blaze leaned back in his chair, relieved, and let out a sigh. “Phew, you better not be. I don’t want my child to get those stupid genes either.” His smirk softened the teasing edge, but I still shot him a glare, even if it didn’t quite reach my heart.“Ugh, whatever,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “I know not to get back together with an ex just because he says a few sweet words. It doesn’t change what he did.”Blaze nodded in agreement, his arms folding across his chest as he leaned forward, his tone growing serious. “Exactly. He’s trash. You deserve way better than that.”A small smirk tugged at my lips, the feeling of vindication bubbling up inside me. “I know, rig
FAITHThe sound stopped me in my tracks—a sad, haunting melody that seemed to float through the corridor like a ghost. The soft yet deliberate notes of a piano filled the air, each one carrying a weight of unspoken pain. I felt the music reach inside me, tugging at emotions I couldn’t quite name. It was the kind of tune that made the world seem quieter, slower, as if it demanded your full attention.My curiosity drew me toward the source. Peeking through the door of the music club, I found the room dimly lit, the air tinged with an almost sacred stillness. At the piano sat a figure I recognized instantly, even from behind.His chestnut curls fell slightly over his neck, catching the faint light. His broad shoulders, tense but steady, moved subtly with the rhythm of his playing. Austin’s fingers glided over the keys, his touch tender but deliberate, like he was pouring his soul into every note.I stepped inside, the sound of my footsteps almost nonexistent against the wooden floor.
FAITHThe car hummed along the road, sunlight streaming through the windows as I leaned back in my seat, my head bobbing slightly to the beat of the music. The warm rhythm of our favorite song filled the space, and I smiled.“Mike!” I called out, my voice light with excitement. “Blast our favorite song!”Michael, sitting up front, gave a small nod and turned the volume up. The familiar melody spilled out of the speakers, and I couldn’t help but start humming along. I recently started calling him ‘Mike’ because I bonded really well with him. “Mike, this is it!” I said, swaying in my seat. “Come on, sing with me!”But when I glanced at Michael through the rearview mirror, he wasn’t joining in. His eyes darted briefly from the road to me and then shifted uneasily to the side.I frowned, my vibe thoroughly interrupted. Turning my head, I followed his gaze to Blaze, who sat beside me, arms crossed and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.“It’s all because of you,” I said, narrowin
FAITHThe soft glow of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across my bedroom. I blinked groggily, trying to piece together where I was and what time it was.My gaze shifted, and my breath caught slightly when I saw Blaze beside me. He was sitting upright, his back resting against the headboard, his head tilted to one side, and his eyes closed in what seemed to be an unusually peaceful sleep.It wasn’t a sight I was used to—Blaze looking so... relaxed. His usual sharp edges seemed to soften in the morning light, and I found myself admiring the way his jawline caught the sunlight and the way his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.‘How does someone look this perfect even while sleeping?’ I thought, shaking my head at my own musings.Suddenly, a wave of nausea surged through me, pulling me violently from my thoughts. My stomach churned, and I barely had time to swing my legs over the bed before I bolted for the bathroom.The moment I reached th